Workers’ Memorial Day 28 April

The TUC co-ordinates activities across the country, publishing a comprehensive listing of events and suggestions. A listing of the global activities is available from the Hazards website: (http://www.hazards.org/wmd/)

Why 28 April? The first Workers’ Memorial Day was observed in 1989. 28 April was chosen because it is the anniversary of the Occupational Safety and Health Act and the day of a similar remembrance in Canada.

What can you do to support the day? The theme this year is ’good occupational health for all workers’. Consider supporting an event in your area if there is one - details can be obtained from the Hazards website.

What can you do to support the day?
 Get your employer to allow some form of recognition of the day, such as one minute’s silence to remember anyone who has died at your workplace.
 Ask your local council, or any other public body to fly official flags at half-mast on the day; and/or
 Write a letter to the local press;
 Organising a local meeting on health and safety and the need for more corporate accountability. You could focus on a particular issue of concern where you work, such as violence or lone working;
 Arranging an event such as planting a memorial tree in a public place, putting up a plaque, dedicating a sculpture, a piece of art, or a bench, to remember workers who have been killed at the workplace or in the community;
 Asking local religious centres to include Workers’ Memorial Day in their worship during the Week;
 Distribute purple ’forget-me-not’ ribbons, the symbol of Workers Memorial Day;
 Finding out what other unions, your local Hazards group, or regional TUC or Trades Council are planning and taking part or organising a joint event

Consider supporting an event in your area if there is one
 details can be obtained from the Hazards or TUC websites.